Covid-19: police launches operation to ensure public adheres to movement control order

Maldives Police Service (MPS) has begun an operation to monitor those who leave their homes for non-essential purposes.

This was revealed during a press conference on Thursday, where Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ismail Naveen revealed that they are monitoring those who leave their homes and are out on the roads non-essentially and that officers patrolling the streets are continuously advising such individuals against leaving their homes, as part of the government’s efforts to enforce social distancing.

Stating that these individuals will be sent home from Thursday onward, Naveen revealed that these operations are not held to penalize citizens, rather to counsel them and enlighten them on the seriousness of the current situation.

Sharing details of operations being conducted by the police, Naveen stated that officers are monitoring 19 regions.

This includes resorts, islands, guest houses, buildings and isolation facilities established across the nation.

Officers are also monitoring vessels that travel in and out of the Greater Malé Region.

The authority has urged the public to cooperate in their joint efforts with the National Disaster Management Authority and Health Protection Agency to ensure the safety of the Maldivian people at this critical time.

Also speaking at the press, Assisant Commissioner of Police Dr. Abdulla Fairoosh revealed that changes have been brought to the duty rosters of officers stationed in outlying atolls.

Under the operations, officers will be counseling people who gather at public spaces to return home, said authorities.